Manchester United star Angel Di Maria claims he still needs time to adapt to Premier League

Angel di Maria has scored three Premier League goals this season.Getty Images/OLI SCARFF

Angel Di Maria has suggested he still needs some time to replicate his best form at Manchester United, adding that Louis van Gaal's side are yet to fully adapt to the Dutch boss's methods following his big summer overhaul.

The Argentinian international made an impressive start to life in the Premier League, scoring three goals and providing three assists in his first five games, while receiving the club's player of the month award for September.

But the former Real Madrid star has since struggled to add more Premier League goals to his tally and missed six consecutive matches due to a couple of minor injuries.

The £59.7m star is aware he is currently far from his best form, but after recently scoring a goal in the FA Cup at Yeovil Town, he hopes to reach his peak in the second part of the campaign.

"I come from another league and the Premier League is more intense. I am yet to get used to this change. Lately I am playing in a more advanced role and I am felling comfortable. I hope things go well in the future," he said during an interview with DirecTV Sport.

"I had a bad run of injuries and spent some time off the field. Now I'm back, game by game things are going better. You will feel more comfortable and get to know your teammates better. I hope I can continue on this path. I returned the other day. I scored a goal and that gives confidence."

Like Di Maria, United are struggling to make the impact expected under van Gaal. Following their latest defeat against Southampton they are fourth in the table, with as many points as they had at this stage of the competition last season under David Moyes.

"We are a new group, many new players and a new coach...it will take a while to get victories. What would not be normal is that overnight we were to win it all," he said.

"I think we're normal, starting to put together a group and a great team. Gradually, the matches give us confidence and help us to get better."

But now United have overcome their early-season injury crisis, the Argentine international believes they are even contenders for the Premier League title.

"We can fight for the title. In the Premier League if you win two or three games in a row you are up. I hope things start to go better," he said.

"In English football, until the referee blows the game over you can come back. Here you do not win because you're Manchester United or Chelsea, here any team can win. We were beating Leicester 3-1 and we lost 5-3. Anything can happen in English football."